Delhi Chokes as Air Quality Index Hits 229; 'Poor' Conditions Persist
Delhi's AQI reaches 229, remaining in the 'poor' category. Check the most polluted areas in the capital and air quality across India.
The national capital continues to struggle with deteriorating atmospheric conditions as the Delhi air quality index remained in the 'poor' category on Thursday morning. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) All India AQI portal, the city-level reading stood at 229, marking a slight increase from Wednesday's figure of 228.
Hotspots of Pollution in the Capital
While the city average is concerning, several localized areas are experiencing much more severe pollution levels. The air quality in these pockets has crossed the 'very poor' threshold, making breathing difficult for residents.
- Uttam Nagar: Recorded the highest pollution level with an AQI of 339.
- Mundka: Followed closely with a reading of 336.
- Dwarka Sector 8: Registered an AQI of 307.
- CRRI Mathura Road: Recorded a level of 297.
- Jahangirpuri: Registered 294.
- Punjabi Bagh: Reported 286.
- Vivek Vihar: Reported 277.
On a more positive note, some stations reported significantly lower levels. Lodhi Road recorded the lowest AQI in the city at 129, followed by Ghoga at 132 and IMD Lodhi Road at 148. These three locations currently fall within the 'moderate' category.
NCR Under Pressure
The smog isn't limited to the capital; neighbouring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) are also grappling with poor air quality. The CPCB data from 7 am reveals a worrying trend across the satellite towns:
- Noida: AQI 235 (Poor)
- Manesar: AQI 228 (Poor)
- Gurugram: AQI 227 (Poor)
- Greater Noida: AQI 209 (Poor)
Meanwhile, Ghaziabad and Faridabad fared slightly better, with readings of 171 and 131 respectively, placing them in the 'moderate' category.
A National Picture: From Haze to Fresh Air
The pollution crisis is not exclusive to the north. In Maharashtra, parts of Mumbai experienced hazy conditions, with a thick layer of smog reducing visibility, particularly around the Bandra Reclamation area.
Most Polluted Cities Across India
Out of 264 cities with valid readings in the CPCB dataset, the highest pollution levels were found in:
- Bhiwadi (Rajasthan): AQI 296
- Pithampur (Madhya Pradesh): AQI 291
- Panchgaon (Haryana): AQI 275
- Kaithal (Haryana): AQI 265
- Ballabgarh (Haryana): AQI 263
The Cleanest Air in the Country
In stark contrast to the smog-filled streets of the north and west, several cities in the east and northeast are enjoying pristine air quality:
- Aizawl (Mizoram): Recorded the lowest AQI in the country at 21, falling into the 'good' category.
- Suakati (Odisha): AQI 23.
- Nayagarh (Odisha): AQI 24.
- Raipur (Chhattisgarh) & Baripada (Odisha): Both recorded an AQI of 25.